Hill threatens Carpenter with beat down

November 18, 2015

By CCN STAFF

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill allegedly threatened to kick a competing campaign candidate’s “ass” if the competitor did not stay away from Hill’s largest donor, according to SLO City Councilman Dan Carpenter.

During a Tuesday afternoon ribbon cutting event at the Village of Pacific West in Pismo Beach, one of developer Gary Grossman’s mixed use projects, Grossman gave Carpenter a private tour of one of the residential units. As Carpenter and Grossman left the building, Hill arrived, gave Grossman a hug and quickly led him away, Carpenter said.

Hill later approached Carpenter who was standing in the parking lot near an open field.

“You keep contacting my donors, and I am going to take you out in the field and kick your ass,” Hill is reported to have said as he pointed to a field in front of several witnesses.

Carpenter responded by calling Hill a “bully”and telling him to go away.

A few hours later, Carpenter sent Hill an email warning the supervisor to knock it off.

“Because of your threatening (bodily harm) comments and posturing directed at  myself today at a public gathering in Pismo Beach at approximately 3 p.m., you are advised to not have any physical, verbal, written, electronic, or other contact with myself or my family at any time in the future,” Carpenter wrote. “I encourage you take this warning seriously.”

Hill, who has nearly 10 times as much cash in his reelection war chest as his District 3 challengers have combined in their campaign accounts, received much of his funding from developers

Hill’s top donor is Grossman, who contributed $5,050 during the last reporting period. Grossman, the president of Coastal Community Builders, has donated previously to Hill’s campaign and $50,000 to the nonprofit of Dee Torres-Hill, the supervisor’s wife.

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